Cancer is a serious illness that can occur anywhere in the body. Usually if you get any mouth symptoms including teeth or gum pain, it is associated with something a lot more minor, such as gum disease. Sometimes it could be something more serious like oral cancer. Knowing the signs and symptoms is good to know and your dentist can put your mind at ease if you have any symptoms. Read on to find out more about oral cancer and where you can get it.
Where Can Oral Cancer Occur?
Oral cancer can affect any part of the mouth. You can get cancer of the tongue, lips, roof of mouth and inside of the cheek. It is also known as mouth cancer or oral cavity cancer.
The Symptoms of Oral Cancer
There are several symptoms of mouth cancer that also are associated with many diseases of the mouth, therefore you do not always need to be worried. One typical symptom of oral cancer is a sore that develops anywhere inside or outside the mouth that does not heal. Just like many other cancers, you may develop a tumor or growth inside or outside the mouth. This could cause your teeth to become loose and if you have dentures, they may fall out. You may have localized pain or pain in the whole mouth area.
When Should I See a Dentist?
You can see a dentist as soon as you are worried that you or a loved one are developing any of these symptoms. You can also see a doctor if you are worried, but they may still refer you to a dentist. If you have any of the symptoms above that last for more than two weeks and do not go away, this is when you should seek medical advice, especially if you have not been diagnosed with any other disease. If you smoke a lot, or consume a lot of alcoholic drinks, you are more likely to develop oral cancer. It is always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to any cancer, therefore if you suspect anything, it is better to get checked straight away and rule out oral cancer.
Regular dental check-ups can help you catch oral cancer early and mean you have a better chance of fighting it. Contact us today to schedule an appointment with the best dentist in Staten Island.